In an insightful interview with the prestigious global Aluminium industry media outlet AlCircle, Mayank Chauhan, co-founder and CEO, LogicLadder Technologies, discusses how the Indian Aluminium sector is integrating sustainability into its operations, the disparity in climate tech tool adoption in the sector and much more.
Read an excerpt of the discussion.
AL Circle: What are your thoughts on the sustainability goals of the Indian aluminium industry? How are digital tools transforming the efforts?
Mayank Chauhan: The sustainability goals of the Indian aluminium industry are gaining momentum, with large players deploying a multi-pronged approach to reduce emissions. They are actively working to meet global standards like CBAM by leveraging digital tools to measure, report, and reduce emissions. These tools are serving as catalysts that provide clear blueprints for decarbonisation. As the saying goes, what can be measured can be tracked, and what can be tracked can be reduced. With rising demand for aluminium, leveraging these tools will be essential for long-term sustainability.
However, digital tools have yet to penetrate beyond large enterprises. The Indian aluminium industry’s vast MSME and SME players must also embrace climate technology. Without widespread adoption, they risk falling behind international carbon regulations, jeopardising their competitiveness in a carbon-conscious global market. For the sector to truly become sustainable, SMEs must lead the way in climate tech adoption.
AL Circle: How aware are Indian aluminium companies of their role in combating climate change? How advanced are they in using digital tools and software to support decarbonisation efforts?
Mayank Chauhan: Sustainability has now become a cornerstone of the aluminium industry. In India, it has taken centre stage owing to a growing climate-conscious economy. Indian aluminium companies are increasingly aware of their role in combating climate change, which is driven by regulatory pressures and market demands for more sustainable production. We are witnessing steady efforts to transition from being coal-reliant to exploring low-carbon energy sources. However, the aluminium sector needs to look beyond merely adopting low-carbon energy to significantly reduce its GHG emission contribution.
There is a clear disparity in adopting climate tech tools between large enterprises and SMEs & MSMEs. Regulations by CPCB and state environmental boards have pushed for emission tracking, mainly for energy and effluent mapping. However, we still see instances of the mapping being restricted to Excel sheets. This trend needs to change, especially as Indian industries have yet to build a comprehensive digital infrastructure that can help them effectively map, report, and reduce their emissions on a broader scale.
The outlook remains optimistic as awareness grows and efforts to integrate digital solutions accelerate. However, bridging the gap between large and small enterprises will be crucial for the aluminium sector to fully realise its sustainability goals and contribute meaningfully to a carbon-conscious economy.
AL Circle: Which companies do you believe are at the forefront of driving sustainability in the Asian aluminium market? How do you plan to capitalise on the growing opportunities in this sector?
Mayank Chauhan: Companies in the aluminium sector are currently doubling down on their commitment to sustainability and adopting innovative approaches toward decarbonisation. From transitioning to greener energy sources like green hydrogen to incorporating electric vehicles in their operations and leveraging smart tools for tracking and reporting, they are setting new benchmarks for sustainability.
At The Sustainability Cloud, we aim to empower this momentum by providing sector-specific digital solutions that help aluminium enterprises map, track, and reduce their emissions. Our tools empower companies to navigate sustainability regulations, improve operational efficiency, and achieve their climate goals, ensuring they remain competitive in a carbon-conscious global economy.
AL Circle: Do you offer customised digital solutions tailored to specific industry needs? Are your solutions integrated with AI to lead the decarbonisation efforts a few steps ahead?
Mayank Chauhan: We understand that the sustainability needs of no two sectors or companies are the same. While some may trade products globally, others may focus on domestic markets. Depending on the scale of operations, the carbon intensity of products, or even the company’s specific goals, enterprises can customise their technology suite. Our digital solutions are tailored to help companies choose the regulations they need to comply with, enabling them to efficiently map, track, and report their emissions. We are in the process of integrating Machine Learning and AI to empower companies to meet their decarbonisation targets through comprehensive and scalable solutions.
Read the complete interview on AlCircle and on the e-magazine, AL industry: Asia Focus (Page 112).
